Sweetwater Community Garden
Garden plots are available at the Sweetwater Community Garden in Bonita! The garden is located in the Sweetwater Regional Park at the Pinery site on the corner of Bonita Road and Sweetwater Road (5354 Sweetwater Road). The RCD manages the garden through an agreement with the County of San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation.
Please follow this link to make your plot payment of $372 for a full plot and $186 for a half plot (rates as of July 1, 2025). It will take you to our Donation PayPal link, which is the correct place to make your payment. If you have additional questions or any issues with your payment, please reach out to Chris Kelley in Accounting: chris.kelley@rcdsandiego.org.
The community garden contains:
- 200 garden plots, measuring 20’x20′ (full plot) or 10’x20′ (half plot)
- 2 ADA accessible plots with pre-installed raised beds
- A model garden
- Fencing and a hose bib for each plot
Garden plots are available to residents and community groups from Bonita and surrounding communities, check below to check if you are in the catchment area before applying or give us a call to discuss.
Zip CodesThank you for your interest in the Sweetwater Community Garden!
The first step in joining the garden is to thoroughly read the garden's Terms of Use (link below), which outline the garden rules and expectations about plot maintenance.
Terms of Use Sweetwater 2025-26_No Signiture.pdfCondiciones de Uso Sweetwater 2025-26.pdf
Next, please fill out and submit this application. We will contact you within a week to discuss the plot rental details and let you know the next steps to joining the garden.
Two plot sizes are offered: 20'x20' (full plot) or 10'x20' (half plot), and two ADA accessible plots are available. Each plot contains a water spigot and a fence. Rates as of July 1, 2025 are $372 for a full plot and $186 for a half plot. A $100 cleaning deposit will also be charged with your first year's rent. Should you decide at any point to give up your plot, the deposit will be returned if the plot is left in good condition. You may not sublet your plot to someone else.
Questions? Contact Community Garden Coordinator - Daniela Mejia, daniela.mejia@rcdsandiego.org
The Details:
1. Rates as of July 1, 2025 are $372 for a full plot and $186 for a half plot.The lease year runs July – June: a pro-rated amount will be applied depending on when you join. New garden members will also be charged a $100 deposit with their first year’s rent. This will be used to cover the costs of cleaning your plot if it is not left in an acceptable condition should your lease be terminated.
2. Plots must be actively maintained all year round. Active maintenance of a garden plot requires weekly visits.
3. The Resource Conservation District (RCD) is the only entity that can authorize a Use Agreement for a garden plot and make plot assignments. You may not sublet your plot to another gardener.
Please contact our office with any questions at 619-562-0096.
July 1, 2025
Over the years, the community garden’s water bill has increased significantly. This is partially due to increased water rates but also due to inefficient water usage. Any unnecessary water use increases costs, which could result in higher rent for everyone.
To avoid large rent increases, it is essential that all gardeners actively participate in using water efficiently. It's important that we work together as a community to manage our water usage responsibly. Our commitment to food sovereignty includes caring for our water through mindful conservation practices.
Through the Sweetwater Community Garden Water Conservation and Education Program, gardeners will receive an evaluation of your irrigation system to better understand how it operates and identify any necessary improvements for optimal water distribution and plant health. This will include clear, easy-to-follow guidance to help you maintain your system effectively. Regular maintenance is key to preventing issues, and we want to ensure you have the confidence and knowledge to keep your irrigation running smoothly.
Our Irrigation Technician, Liz Valdez, will be selecting gardens for evaluations. If you are a gardener at Sweetwater Community Garden and would like help with your irrigation system or more information about this program, email Liz at elizabeth.valdez@rcdsandiego.org, by phone at (619) 800-1757, or fill out this request form and we'll follow up with you.
Benefits of Joining a Community Garden
Joining a community garden has many benefits! It encourages increased consumption of fruits and vegetables, helps save money at the grocery store, and provides an opportunity to enjoy fresh air and exercise in a beautiful, friendly, and safe setting. Gardeners have also commented on the therapeutic benefits of caring for their plants and experiencing the reward of their time and effort. Many gardeners are apartment dwellers who relish the opportunity to get out into the fresh air and work the land.
Members of the community garden come from all walks of life. On any given day, you can hear three or four different languages being spoken. This diversity manifests itself in the crops that grow in the garden plots – nopales, bitter melon, heirloom tomatoes, etc. The garden is family-friendly and a great place to teach kids about nature and growing food. Young and old help each other, trading gardening advice, time, and the fruits of their labor – literally!
Learn more about community gardens! San Diego Community Garden Network aims to support and develop community gardens across the county. Their website includes has a map of all the community gardens in San Diego.